If you are a Colorado homeowner currently looking for materials to use on your new roof, either because the old roof has reached the end of its lifespan or has been damaged recently and needs replacement or because you have decided to update the look of your entire property, you surely want to be sure that you invest into the type of material that works best for your home. Picking the right roofing products is certainly not easy – here are some factors to have in mind while evaluating your options in terms of pros and cons.
Consider the Climate
Colorado climate is varied and complex. Most of the state is located in mountain areas and on hilly landscapes, but Colorado also has highlands and desert areas. When choosing your roofing material, you need to take into consideration the specific climate zone that your building is located in. If your roof will have to face lots of rain and snow, choose a material that performs well in wet environments and has superior load bearing capabilities, such as clay or cement tiles. If your property is in an arid area, pick a material that resists strong solar radiation, such as metal or cement.
The roofing products that you browse should include not only the roof covering material. You can choose to enhance your roof’s features with the help of coating products – some of these coatings are used to seal the roof surface, improving its resistance to moisture penetration, while others improve the roof’s reflectivity, improving the structure’s performance during hot spells.
Your Budget and Durability
Lakewood roofing professionals verify that roofing materials come in a very wide price range. Asphalt shingles are the cheapest options, with metal and various synthetic and built-up roofing solutions occupying the mid-range and clay, slate and wood being the most expensive options.
The price of roofing materials is instructive of their durability, too – asphalt, the cheapest solution, offers a lifespan of 15-25 years, metal can be safely used for 30-years, while clay and slate offer a longevity of around 100 years.
Aesthetic Aspects
When choosing your roofing material, you should consider visual appeal as well. Most materials come in many shapes, colors and sizes, allowing you to choose the style that perfectly matches your building’s appearance. You can either go for a classic appearance, with traditional colors, such as brown, red and terracotta or you can make a powerful statement using bolder hues, such as black, cream or blue and special finishes, such as glossy or satin textures.
Installation and Maintenance
If installed correctly, most roofing materials do not need very special maintenance, other than regular inspections and cleaning, performed twice a year, either by the homeowner or a professional roofer. Whatever your roofing material, the inspection and the cleaning must always be followed by the repair of any fault detected during the inspection.
When it comes to installation, some materials, including slate and clay, can only be installed by professionals, while shingles can be efficiently installed by homeowners with a little experience in DIY.
